It reared slightly—only by a few inches—but the motion sent a jolt of panic through Caleb’s chest. Was it warning him? Threatening? Or just… reacting? He didn’t know. Walruses weren’t like seals or bears. Their behavior on land was harder to read. The animal shifted forward again, flippers slapping against the snow. Caleb tensed, expecting it to charge.
But instead, it stopped beside his bag and pawed at it roughly. A container of ice markers popped loose and scattered across the ice. The walrus snorted and followed one as it rolled. Caleb slowly turned his head, watching it track the object like a curious dog.